Related Items

Local Real Estate

Cars For Sale

THE Coast's reputation as an environmentally friendly region has been strengthened by plans to build the Centre for Growing Sustainability.

To be based at the Big Pineapple's old nut factory, the not-for-profit centre will have community growing space, an education facility, research and development space and several organic growing-related activities.

Development of the centre began last week and is expected to take several weeks, after the signing of a two-year lease with the Big Pineapple.

The centre is the brainchild of Global Boss International, a Coast company and winner at the Sunshine Coast Living Smart Environmental Awards.

Centre director Cath Manuel commended Global Boss International in bringing the initiative to life.

"Global have a great passion for sustainability and educating people of the need to learn about improving the soil and spaces where we grow our food," she said.

"We need to live in a way that our planet can keep going without leaving an impact for those who come after us to deal with.

"That starts with teaching people how to improve the soil in the spaces we grow food, which is what we intend to do at the centre."

The centre will specialise in offering the public an array of gardens to rent, ranging from small family plots to large communal growing areas.

Mrs Manuel said she implored all members of the community to participate by learning helpful tips in becoming accustomed to sustainable living.

"We're going to offer workshops and classes on how easy it is to become sustainable by growing your own food," she said.

Mrs Manuel, who lives a self-sufficient lifestyle on her property at Lake McKenzie, said she would not live any other way.

"I'm just so happy with my own harvesting by putting food on the table that I've grown myself," she said.

"By doing that I know I am helping to improve the soil which makes for better soil and a healthier planet."

Councillor Chris Thompson said the council's support of the centre reinforced its vision for the Coast to become Australia's most sustainable region.

"The Centre for Growing Sustainability is an exciting development that under-lines the potential our unique region has to differentiate itself from other areas that lack our advantages of balanced growth and sustainability."